You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)

Made New

On the day you left your life of sin and turned it over to me, I made you brand new. On the cross, I paid for your sins and cleansed you of all your unrighteousness. I broke the chains that bound you. I freed you from the sin that had entangled you. I made you dead to sin and alive to me. You put off the dirty, stinky clothes of your old life to live a completely new life in me. Yes, I did. In an instant I knew that I was different. I couldn’t explain it then. But now I know that on that day, your Holy Spirit came to live and dwell inside of me. I was born again. I was adopted into your family. You made me to be your child. Yes, I did.

I do have a question. Go ahead and ask it. On the day that I turned my life over to you, I was changed. Many of my old sinful patterns and practices fell off me like old and dirty stinky clothes that I would never wear again. That’s true. Some of my old sinful patterns and practices did not fall off me like old and dirty stinky clothes. I hate to say this, but I even had strong and powerful desires to put back on some of those old and stinky dirty clothes from my old life. I’m sorry to say that sometimes I did give into strong and powerful desires, patterns and practices of old life. Since the day I started following you, I have had many battles with completely putting off my old life. Are you coming to your question? Yes, I am. Why have I had battles with my old life? Why did some of my old sinful desires, patterns and practices fall off me while others tried to hold on tightly to me? How can I put off my old life and put on the new life that I have in you? Those are good questions. What does my word say? I’m not sure what you are asking me. You have your old life. You have your new life. Is there anything in between that is meant to make you able to put off your old life and put on your new life? Let me look closely. That is a very good idea.

I now know what you are pointing out to me. What’s that? In between putting off my old life and putting on my new life is your word. You want to use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Your Holy Spirit will use your word like a sword to fight in me, with me, and for me. Your word will change all my thoughts, words, and deeds. Your word will make me able to know and do your will. Your word will make me able to stand against temptation and resist evil in the world. It is the Holy Spirit using your word that will make me able to put off the old and put on the new life I have in you. That’s right. Every day I will use my word to mold and shape your life. Every day, you will be made new as my word continues to work in your life. I will welcome your word into my life. I will let your word dwell in me richly. That will be very good.

Lord, use your word to change my heart and transform my mind and guide my life so that I will be able to put off the old dirty, stinky rags of my old corrupt life of sin. Help me to put on the completely new and clean and fresh life that you have called me to live. Amen

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